Concentric hypertrophy is a medical term used to describe an increase in the thickness of the heart muscle. The spelling of the word can be broken down into its phonetic components using the International Phonetic Alphabet. "Concentric" is pronounced as /kənˈsɛntrɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable, and "hypertrophy" is pronounced as /haɪˈpɜːtrəfi/, with the stress on the first syllable. The combination of these two words creates the medical term "concentric hypertrophy", which describes a common condition that can cause various symptoms and complications.
Concentric hypertrophy is a medical term used to describe a condition characterized by the enlargement of a specific part or organ of the body due to an increased workload or demand placed on it. The term is most commonly used in the context of cardiac or muscle hypertrophy.
In the case of the heart, concentric hypertrophy refers to the thickening and enlargement of the myocardium, the muscular tissue of the heart. This occurs as a response to increased pressure or resistance in the heart, such as in conditions like high blood pressure or aortic stenosis. As the myocardium thickens, the heart muscle becomes more powerful to compensate for the added workload and maintain adequate blood flow.
The term "concentric" refers to the uniform thickening of the heart muscle throughout, resulting in a smaller chamber size and decreased compliance. This can lead to a reduced ability of the heart to relax and fill with blood properly, potentially causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or chest pain.
Concentric hypertrophy can also occur in other muscles of the body when subjected to increased demand, such as in weightlifters or athletes who regularly engage in resistance training. In these cases, the muscle fibers thicken and increase in size to improve their strength and endurance.
Treatment for concentric hypertrophy may include addressing the underlying cause, controlling blood pressure, reducing cardiac workload, or medication to manage symptoms. Regular monitoring and evaluation by a healthcare professional are necessary to ensure proper management of this condition.
Thickening of the walls of the heart or any cavity with apparent diminution of the capacity of the cavity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "concentric hypertrophy" can be broken down into two parts: "concentric" and "hypertrophy".
The word "concentric" is derived from the Latin word "concentricus", which combines "con-" meaning "together" and "centrum" meaning "center". In this context, "concentric" refers to something that has a common center or shares a central point.
The term "hypertrophy" comes from the Greek words "hyper" meaning "excessive" and "trophy" meaning "nourishment" or "growth". "Hypertrophy" therefore signifies the abnormal or excessive growth or enlargement of an organ or tissue.
When combined, "concentric hypertrophy" is a medical term used to describe a specific type of cardiac (heart) hypertrophy.